3 Tests to Find the Best Foam Mats for Kids

When you’re looking for the best foam mats for your kids, there are certain questions you’ll have in mind as you shop. Will this mat protect my kids from bumps and bruises? My kids spill everything… are these mats easy to clean? I just know my baby will try to put this in her mouth; how do I know these mats are safe and non-toxic? As you can imagine, we get all these questions and more every day here at We Sell Mats, so we thought an article on what to look for in a quality foam mat would be well worth everyone’s time.

Note: All interlocking EVA foam mats are intended for ages 3 and up. This is due to a potential choking hazard posed by the interlocking tabs should they be torn or bitten off from the mats.

1. The Bonk TestIn most cases, the whole reason that you’re shopping for foam mats in the first place is that kids fall down a lot and floors are hard! You want to know that if somebody takes a spill during playtime they’re going to be able to get right back up again without any tears. The key in this instance is the thickness of the mat. Of course there are no products that can keep us 100% safe from every fall, but in order to protect from minor bumps and bruises, you want a mat that is at least 3/8" inch (10mm) thick. Mats which are thinner than this, such as yoga mats, are not really designed for shock absorption, but rather for traction and mild padding. If your baby tips over sideways from a seated position on a 1/8" thick yoga mat, there’s still going to be a bonk and some tears. EVA foam mats which are 3/8" or thicker provide enough shock absorption to protect your little ones from the frequent faceplants that come with the territory of learning to crawl.

2. The Mess TestOftentimes when people think of foam, they are thinking of squishy blocks of foam padding, and with that in mind they become concerned that foam mats will quickly absorb liquid spills and be difficult to keep clean. Thankfully, because EVA foam is extremely high-density, cleaning up everyday household spills is a breeze. We’ve yet to come across a spill which couldn’t be quickly wiped up with a paper towel or dissolved with a mild solution of soap and water. Even if your mats should somehow become thoroughly soaked, most of the liquid will simply wick away and then you can air-dry the mats either outdoors in the sunlight or indoors with the help of a simple fan. Stick to EVA foam mats and cleanup will be a rare and simple task.

3. The Safety TestFoam mats come in all manner of sizes, colors, and thicknesses, but nothing is more important than making sure your family is not exposed to any dangerous or harmful materials. When shopping for mats, take the time to check the materials safety data to ensure that the mats are BPA-free, Lead-free, and completely non-toxic. You may even wish to ask about potential allergens like Latex in case anyone in your family has a sensitivity. All of We Sell Mats’ EVA foam has undergone independent third-party testing to prove that our mats are free of any dangerous materials and completely safe for household use.

And that about covers it! As long as the mats you’re considering pass these three tests, you can feel confident you’re making a good choice for your home and family. It just so happens we’ve got a few mats you might consider ;c). Thanks for reading!

4 thoughts on “3 Tests to Find the Best Foam Mats for Kids”

Hi Yvonne, thanks for reaching out to us on our blog! The scent of brand-new EVA foam will probably be familiar to you if you’ve ever bought a new pair of sneakers. The smell of a new pair of shoes is often due to the EVA foam in their soles. It’s not a strong scent and most people don’t find it objectionable. If you’re particularly sensitive to smells, you may want to open up your mats and let them air out for a few days in a closet or garage where it won’t bother you. The scent disappears pretty quickly.

Hi Suzie, thanks for your comment. Our products are all tested by third-party laboratories in accordance with US laws. If you would like a copy of the test results documentation, you can request it from customer service by sending an email to orders@wesellmats.com. You should also note that officially, our EVA foam mats are only designed for ages 3 and up because the interlocking tabs present a potential choking hazard for young children who may tear or bite them off. That being said, it would be one tough infant who can bite through 3/4″ of EVA foam! The security and safety of you and your family obviously comes first, so please feel free to call or email customer service if you’d like to discuss any of your concerns further.